SC urges Centre, NMC to help medical students who returned from foreign countries with clinical training accommodation

The Supreme Court on Friday said the Centre and the National Medical Commission would have to discuss and devise a way to conduct clinical training for students who had to finish medical degrees in colleges located in Russia, Ukraine, China, and the Philippines via online mode due to unforeseen circumstances such as COVID 19 or the Russia-Ukraine war.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to have a consultation with the National Medical Council (NMC) to find out a solution to the problem of students who have completed their medical degree from foreign colleges in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, China, and Philippines, and are now seeking accommodation to undergo clinical training in India.

The bench was hearing several petitions filed by students who were, at the time of filing pleas, in their penultimate years of medical course. They subsequently completed the course via online method, albeit without any in-hand training.

The SC bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath, observed further that the students had completed their courses but were unable to complete their clinical training in respective foreign institutions due to unforeseen events such as COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

It further noted that the courses were subsequently concluded, and that the students had no option to return to the universities. "It will not be possible for them to return to their respective institutions to complete the clinical training" the bench noted, adding as the "relation between them and the respective institution" stood severed.

The Centre and the NMC, on the other hand, argued that the petitioners could not be provided relaxation as they were not in the final year at the time of filing pleas, to which the court observed that the students had eventually completed the course, requesting authorities to reassess the situation.

"If there is no solution found at this stage then entire career would be left in lurch. Their families will suffer. We find that this is a fit case where some solution has to be found by experts," observed the court, adding that it was not in a position to cast doubts on decisions taken by those experienced on the subject.

Highlighting the petitioners as an 'asset to the nation', the SC said efforts should be made to save their careers would benefit India 'when there is a dearth of doctors in the country'.

The top court observed that career of 500 students who have put in five years is at stake. We request the UOI (Union of India) and the NMC to address the issue at the earliest, the bench stated, listing the matter for further hearing on January 25 next year.